William d



(No Model.)

W. D. THOMPSON. FUNNEL.

No. 500,517. Patented June 27, 1893.

IN VE N 7'05 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM D. THOMPSON, O PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN A. KEENAN,'JR., OF SAME PLACE.

FUNNEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 500,517, dated June 27, 1893.

Application filed May 24,1

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM D. THOMPSON, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Funnels, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

Myinvention consists of a funnel suspended by means of a spring, whereby after the same has been used, it may be automatically raised so as to be out of the way.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a funnel embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal section of a portion thereof in different position.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the two figures.

Referring to the drawings:-A designates a funnel, which excepting the feature of my invention applied thereto is of usual construction.

B designates a bail which is connected with the upper part thereof, and to the same is secured the lower end of the rod 0, a head on the upper end of which is telescopically fitted in the tube D. To the lower end of the rod and upper end of the'tube is attached the spring E, whose tendency is to hold the funnel in elevated position, the upper end of A the tube having an eye F connected therewith, whereby the device may be suspended from a ceiling or other place overhead. At the lower end of the rod 0, is a cushion G, which abuts against the tube D, for preventing noise and straining of or injury to the parts when the funnel returns to its normal position, said cushion resting upon a plate G which is secured to said rod, the lower end of the spring E being connected with said plate. The rod is connected with the bail B by the nut H interposed between which and the plate G is the block J, to which the bail B is connected, said block being fitted on the 5 end of the rod and'prevented from disconnec- 892- Serial No. 434,161. (No model.)

tion therefrom by means of said nut, the funnel thus being prevented from turning on said rod.

The operation is follows:-When the funnel is required for use, it is lowered to with- 5c in reach of the scales, counter, &c., of the store, when material may be poured through the same into a bag or other receptacle, it being seen that the spring has been drawn out or expanded. When the workis accomplished, the funnel is let go, when the spring contracts, thus quickly raising the funnel to its elevated or normal position, where it is out of the way of the person or persons in the store, the cushion G, having struck the end of the tube D, and thereby preventing noise and strain, as has been stated. The tube D and rod 0, act as a guide and steadying device for the spring, but when said parts are dispensed with, the ends of said spring may be connected with the bail B and eye F.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A funnel in combination with an exten- 7o sively-connected tube and rod, a block fitted on the rod and connected with the hail of the funnel, a plate on the block and secured to the lower end of the spring of the tube and rod, a cushion on said rod above the said plate, and a nut on the rod for fastening it to the bail, said parts being combined substantially as described.

2. A funnel in combination with an extensively connected tube and rod, a spring attached to said tube and rod, ablock fitted on the rod,-and a plate and nut on the rod on opposite sides of said block, the hail of the funnel being connected with said block,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

WILLIAM D. THOMPSON. 

